Deformation Energy of a Charged Drop. I. Qualitative Features

The qualitative features of the deformation energy of a charged drop are discussed with special reference to the fission process. It is shown that, under conditions more general than the model of an incompressible liquid drop with a sharp surface, the threshold energy for fission should be proportional to ${[{\left(\frac{Z^2}{A}\right)}_0-(\frac{Z^2}{A}\left)\right]}^3$ near the limit of stability ${\left(\frac{Z^2}{A}\right)}_0$. Similarly, if instability against asymmetry sets in below ${\left(\frac{Z^2}{A}\right)}_c$, the degree of asymmetry of the asymmetric saddle-point shapes which appear should be proportional to ${[{\left(\frac{Z^2}{A}\right)}_c-(\frac{Z^2}{A}\left)\right]}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ and the difference between the symmetric and asymmetric thresholds should be proportional to ${[{\left(\frac{Z^2}{A}\right)}_c-(\frac{Z^2}{A}\left)\right]}^2$. Some factors governing the stability against asymmetry of a strongly deformed drop are discussed qualitatively.